Was carrying Rs 36.75 lakh stacked in two bags
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Konkan railway police on Wednesday detained a native of Kerala with cash amounting to Rs 36.75 lakh while travelling on the Mangalore Express.
Taking no chances, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) informed about the cash seizure to the Intelligence Bureau, Income Tax department, besides Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to probe into the incident.
The Konkan railway police have also booked Mohammed Khamaruddin (30) for offence of theft following a complaint from Dr Ryena Sequeira, a resident of Benaulim and Professor at Government College, Quepem, stating that her i-phone valued at Rs 80,000 went missing while travelling on the same train.
RPF officials informed that Dr Sequeira found her i-phone missing from her hand bag after departure of the train from Ratnagiri railway station. She is believed to have conducted a thorough search for her i-phone in and around the coach, but in vain. However, when she questioned Khamaruddin, who was found occupying space near the toilet, she did not receive a satisfactory reply. Her suspicions grew further as he alighted at the Kankavli railway station and went to the general coach.
After the train chugged at the Margao railway station, Dr Sequeira went to the general coach to trace the suspect and once again enquired with him regarding her mobile, but he replied in the negative.
Police said Dr Sequeira along with a group of military personnel then conducted a search of Khamaruddin’s bag and found Rs 75,000 stacked inside. A search of the second bag revealed that he was carrying cash of Rs 36 lakh. RPF sources said when Khamaruddin was asked to produce any legal documents or voucher in support of his possession of the huge amount, he failed to produce any document.
After a preliminary inquiry, the RPF handed over the accused and the cash to the Konkan Railway police station for further investigation.
Konkan Railway Police station in-charge PSI Dattaguru Sawant informed that the police would arrest the accused under different laws if he fails to produce legal documents over possession of huge amount of cash on his person.
